U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref of the Eastern District of Washington has underscored several significant prosecutions related to crimes against children over the past year. "Cases involving the abuse of young children are some of the most difficult matters that my office handles," stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. She commended her team for their dedication in pursuing justice for vulnerable victims.
The prosecutions were facilitated through a collaboration with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program (ICAC). This program supports state and local law enforcement in responding to technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and internet crimes against children by providing necessary resources, including forensic and investigative support, training, victim services, and community education.
"Without the dedication of our state and local partners through the ICAC, many of those responsible for these terrible crimes may not have been held to account," said U.S. Attorney Waldref.
Highlighted cases from 2024 include:
- Michael Emineth and Malesa Hale received sentences of 30 years and 28 years respectively for long-term sexual abuse of a minor.
- Robert Wayne Hutton was sentenced to 20 years for secretly filming his victim using a hidden camera.
- Rick Lynn Johnson received a five-year sentence for downloading and sharing child sexual abuse material.
- Dallas Michael Shuler faced charges for producing and distributing child sexual abuse material while working at Riverside Elementary School.
- Gerald Alan Nott was sentenced to 15 years for distributing child sexual abuse files online.
- Lucas Murphy received a 20-year sentence after kidnapping and abusing his victim.
- Former officer Koby Don Williams was sentenced to over 11 years after attempting to meet a minor for sex.
- Tony J. Bolen and Casey Allen Greer were found guilty of producing child sexual abuse material; sentencing is scheduled for April 2025.
- Nathan Roy Stout was sentenced to 15 years following repeated offenses involving child sexual abuse material.
- Craig Michael Berry received a 20-year sentence after enticing teens into sending explicit images in exchange for substances.
“These examples demonstrate the Department of Justice’s commitment to prosecuting difficult cases,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. The cases were part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative aimed at combating child exploitation launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.